The clinical impact of incidental sellar uptake on F-18 FDG PET/CT

Abstract

Aim: The most frequent finding associated with incidental fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in sellar region in oncologic F-18 FDG PET/CT is adenoma. However, reports of metastatic involvement exist. We investigated the clinical significance of incidental FDG uptake in this region. Materials & method: 34 patients with several primary tumors who were referred for staging, restaging or treatment response via F-18 FDG PET/CT were included. Images were reviewed and patients with significant FDG uptake in the sellar region were referred. Results: Mean lesion diameter was 11.9 ± 4.9 mm and mean standardized uptake value was 8.2 ± 6.1. Thirteen patients underwent MRI, and the others underwent follow-up F-18 FDG PET/CT. MRI revealed metastatic involvement in nine patients and macro- or micro-adenoma in four. Metastatic patients also had other lesions, yet management did not change. Conclusion: FDG accumulation in the sellar region might be associated with metastasis or adenoma. However, it did not change management. Future studies are warranted.